www.parkworld-online.com
ParkWord May 2011
It seemed to take forever to come, but now the 2011 park season is well underway here in Europe. A late Easter (I never understand the date change; Jesus was only resurrected once) meant that most parks decided to delay opening until around April. The good news is that as I write this, it’s bright, warm and more
than just a little bit spring-like, just as it has been for more than two weeks. Waking up each morning and seeing another sunny day almost makes me feel like I’m on holiday. It’s perfect park-going weather. Of course for some of you in warmer parts of the world, there is
no closed season and attractions stay open 12 months of the year. I must admit there’s nothing better than riding a water ride in a hot climate safe in the knowledge that, no matter how wet you get, you’ll dry off again within the hour. It’s for this reason I hardly ever ride them at home. I’m off to Blackpool in a few days to check out Nickelodeon Land
at the Pleasure Beach. While there I might wander on over to Valhalla, the park’s elaborate dark ride featuring a formidable splash. Inspired by Norse mythology, this is a ride that’s so wet it shouldn’t even be allowed in the desert, never mind Northern Europe. Yet I might just give it a try. Or has the sun gone to my head? Anecdotal evidence I am getting from various venues suggests that
the good weather is boosting business – how could it not? – the only downside being that it has been nice for so long, the crowds are now tailing off. Of course it could now be raining by the time you read this, but
once again it looks like, whatever the state of the economy, the weather can still make or break a season. After all, this is the outdoor amusement industry. May your water rides have a busy year!
Owen Ralph - Editor
Editor Owen Ralph (+44 161 438 2934)
parkworld@btopenworld.com
North American Editor Paul Ruben (+1 585 381 1012)
parkw@rochester.rr.com
Contributors this issue Heather Eichenbaum, Denise Mustafa
Sales Manager Mark Burgess (+44 1622 699124)
parkworld@datateam.co.uk
Publishing Director Paul Ryder
pryder@datateam.co.uk Managing Director Parvez Kayani
p.kayani@datateam.co.uk Publication Secretary/ Jennifer York (+44 1622 699109) Subscription
parkworld@datateam.co.uk
Head Office Datateam Publishing Ltd London Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8LY, UK Tel: +44 1622 687031 Fax: +44 1622 757646
www.datateam.co.uk
MAY 2011 ISSN: 1462-4796 © COPYRIGHT: ALL MATERIALS IN THIS PUBLICATION REMAIN
THE COPYRIGHT OF DATATEAM PUBLISHING LTD AND NO PART OF IT MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE WRITTEN
PERMISSION OF THE PROPRIETORS A request to insert an advertisement is deemed to be an
acceptance of Datateam Publishing Ltd’s conditions of trading, copes of which are available on request.
Member of:
MAY 2011
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40